Melt butter (or heat olive oil) in a large skillet. Add sausage, breaking it apart with a spatula, and cook until browned. Remove sausage to a large bowl, leaving juices in the skillet.

Place celery, carrots and onion in the skillet. Season with salt and pepper to taste, and sauté until carrots soften and onion becomes translucent. Then remove from heat and add the vegetables and cooking liquid to the bowl.

Add remaining ingredients and mix. This can be done the night before cooking as a time saver.